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Q.What is the correct vocalization and translation of the first word of the Hebrew Bible in Gen 1:1?

A. Hi. I’m Chris Hooker. I’m the font coordinator for the Society of Biblical Literature. Today’s question comes from a user of the Bible Odyssey website who would like to know why the vocalization of the first word in Hebrew was changed and what the relationship is between Gen 1:1 and the verses that follow.

At issue here is whether or not the first word in Hebrew contains a definite article, the equivalent of the word “the” in English. The Masoretic vocalization, bereshit, does not contain a definite article. But rather than regarding the Masoretes as having changed the text here, most scholars prefer the Masoretic vocalization for several reasons. One, it is difficult to understand why a scribe would have changed the text to remove the definite article and make it more difficult. According to textual criticism, this more difficult reading is preferable. So text critics prefer the reading without the definite article. Likewise, other ancient versions like the Septuagint and Origen’s transliteration of the Hebrew also preserve the tradition that lacks a definite article. So most scholars regard that as the preferable reading.

In terms of the relationship between Gen 1:1 and the verses that follow, one may notice that various English translations treat these versions differently. For example, the New International Version and the King James Version treat Gen 1:1 as an independent clause (“In the beginning God created...”), while the New Revised Standard Versions and the New Jewish Publication Society version treat Gen 1:1 as a dependent clause (“When God began to create...”). The issues that cause scholars to understand the grammar and syntax differently are too many to describe here in any sort of detail, but I encourage you to look to the resources listed at the bottom of this page for more information about this discussion.

Related Links

A West Semitic language, in which most of the Hebrew Bible is written except for parts of Daniel and Ezra. Hebrew is regarded as the spoken language of ancient Israel but is largely replaced by Aramaic in the Persian period.

An English translation of the Christian Bible, initiated in 1604 by King James I of England. It became the standard Biblical translation in the English-speaking world until the 20th century.

A group of medieval scribes who preserved and transmitted the written Hebrew text and developed the system of vowel markings that eventually were added to the consonantal text.

Relating to the Masoretes, a group of medieval scribes who preserved and transmitted the written Hebrew text of the Bible. Or, the Masoretic Text itself, an authoritative Hebrew text of the Hebrew Bible.

a 1978 translation of the Bible intended to convey the message of the biblical text in contemporary English; its preface emphasizes its translators’ commitment to biblical authority

Gen 1:1

Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth,

Gen 1:1

Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth,

Gen 1:1

Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth,

Gen 1:1

Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth,

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